My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at

cake is so

motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut

a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before

the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said,

must sing the

Rachel must close her eyes and make

Rachel must blow out

head to indicate to Julian that there was

candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any of its

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

a wish on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out

head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even

made a wish. After that,

you!” their parents instructed, standing

each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community

of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank

apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of

well pretend

upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure

she turned and headed toward the

was inside her apartment and

a loud slam, the door was propped

Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on

on business?

sideways into the house and

you’ve been getting along

steps back. Why are

stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw it onto the

as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days, would

her, forcing her back

had no idea

she staggered